A/78/207 93. The non-fulfilment of the role of State authorities may enjoy State sanction, as the approach of the State itself violates that freedom. The challenge in that regard is more acute and requires a substantial change in approach. 94. Further steps are required to facilitate the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief. Even when effectively established in law, standards may be superseded in practice by public policies, strategies and narratives that undermine them, such as those aimed at countering extremism and terrorism, national security or economic development. Such practice may contribute to the stigmatization of religious or belief minorities and indigenous peoples and/or otherwise violate their freedoms. 95. Prejudicial attitudes among State and non-State actors may be so normalized that they are chiselled into the structural framework of laws, institutions, policies and practices and need to be rebutted. 96. The promotion or toleration of hate speech and discriminatory stereotyping of communities based on their religion or belief can nullify their enjoyment of rights. States are encouraged to confront such discourses and adopt an approach that upholds freedom of religion or belief and other human rights whil e combating discriminatory stereotyping. 97. Many States have entities that work on religious affairs, interfaith or religious engagement, outreach to religious and belief communities, religious education, conscientious exemption and personal status, among other related matters. While these may have their own rationale, a national freedom of religion or belief focal point, with an independent mandate to promote freedom of religion or belief at the national level, must exist, independently of the above. 98. State submissions to international forums suggest that freedom of religion or belief as an international human rights obligation remains poorly understood. Th is is reflected in national reports submitted for the universal periodic review, reporting and engagement under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and statements made in international forums, including during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur. 99. There is an ongoing and pressing need for purposeful training programmes in freedom of religion or belief at every level, focused on upholding State obligations and international human rights norms pertaining to freedom of religion or belief. As noted in the previous report, there is no shortage of know-how to facilitate such ongoing training, starting with a collaborative exploration of the domestic reality regarding freedom of religion or belief and seeking to enable a step-by-step approach to advancement from that position towards the full realization of the enjoyment of that right. VI. Recommendations State authorities 100. States are urged to review their national frameworks, namely, laws, institutions, policies and narratives, to ensure respect for freedom of religion and belief. 101. States are urged to fully embrace and domesticate the international human rights framework regarding freedom of religion or belief through the ratification of relevant human rights treaties, the withdrawal of reservations and the enactment of legislation. 102. State officials must not contribute to false dichotomies that risk extinguishing freedom of religion or belief in the name of national security or 20/24 23-14116